Abby turned, wiping a tear from her cheek, but smiling. “You’re awful.”
“No,” Lil answered simply, “just finally grateful.”
With growing amusement, Jake watched his friend impatiently pace the room. “Are you sure you don’t want a drink?”
“Is everyone here now?” Dominic asked.
“Yes, they are all just down the hallway.”
“Why the hell aren’t they in here? I thought you said we had to run through some last minute change Abby had made to the ceremony.”
“Amazingly enough, I’m the only one, outside of your lovely bride to be, who can stand you when you’re like this.”
Dominic boomed, “Like what?”
Jake just looked at him until Dominic ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I don’t like the waiting part.”
“Really? I never would have guessed.”
There was a knock on the door.
Mrs. Duhamel poked her head in. “Everyone dressed?”
Jake said, “Yes, Marie.”
She walked up to Dominic, straightened the front of his tuxedo and reached up to put a wayward lock of hair back into place. “How are you boys holding up?”
Jake laughed, “He’s a wreck.”
Dominic growled but didn’t deny it.
Marie made a tsk sound at Jake and said, “It’s not nice to tease him, Jake. Wait until it’s your turn with Lil. You’ll be just as bad.”
“Is everything set for us to fly out tonight?”
“Yes, the jet is packed and all you have to do is get on and go.”
“And on the other side?”
“I’ve lined up two realtors who know South America well. You should have some viable sites chosen by the end of the week.”
“And Abby still thinks we’re going to Spain?” Dominic asked.
Marie nodded. “You’ll have to call me and tell me what she says when she hears that instead of staying in a castle on her honeymoon, she’s going to spend a week in a variety of South American countries buying land for the schools you’re going to build there.”
“I hope she loves it.”
“She will,” Marie said and then snapped her fingers as a thought came to her. “Before I forget, Rosella and Thomas are in the room across from the groomsmen. Nicole and Stephan went in to see them for a short visit. You should go see them, too, before you go down the aisle. Rosella won’t come here because she doesn’t want to intrude, but she’s your mother and she should be part of this.”
Dominic took the older woman into what looked like a bone crushing hug. “Then I am an incredibly lucky man because I have two mothers now.”
Jake mocked his friend’s display of emotion. “Marie, can you believe what Abby has done to my friend?”
Marie turned back to Jake and said, “True love makes people stronger not weaker, Jake. Remember that. I still miss my husband every day, but I can go on because something as strong as we had makes me believe in an afterlife. Treasure these times, boys. Love your women with all you have because the day will come when you must part from them – however temporarily. Arguments will happen but always apologize – even when you’re not sure that you’re the one who was wrong. Pride is a cold bed partner.”
Jake looked across at Dominic. “I hope she’s not about to explain the birds and bees to us.”
Marie folded her arms in disapproval. “You boys know a bit too much about that already if you asked me.”
Jake put an arm around the woman he’d grown to think of like family. “How else are we going to make those little babies you love so much?”
That got a smile from Marie. “You’d better marry Lil soon if that is your intention.”
“Oh, I intend to, Marie. I intend to.” He pocketed Dominic and Abby’s wedding rings and said, “Come on, Dom. Let’s go see Rosella while we still have time. Your afterlife will come sooner than you think if we’re late to the altar.”
Just outside a large white tent where everyone was seated facing a small altar and the ocean, Lil stood beside Zhang. “So, did you meet the Sheikh yet?”
Zhang’s mask of composure was firmly in place. “Not yet, but I’m sure everything will go smoothly.”
“I asked Jake to look into something for me. Do you know that Prince Rachid is completely unattached at the moment? I guess his father had chosen someone for him, but he refused. He didn’t want to marry a pampered princess. Maybe he likes his woman with a bit more backbone.” Lil wiggled her eyebrows at her friend.
Zhang picked up her bouquet and rolled her eyes. “I can assure you that I’m not interested.”
Lil reached out and lightly touched the forearm of the beautifully proud woman before her. “There is no press here today. No one to record an impulsive action if you decide to take one.”
Zhang didn’t soften, but nor did she pull away.
“For just one day, don’t be Zhang the billionaire. Don’t be the woman you think you have to be. You are stunning in that dress. Make that Sheikh squirm.”
Zhang sighed. “I wouldn’t even know how.”
Lil smiled. “Yes, you do. You just have to let go and nature will take its course.” Lil made a quick grab for Zhang’s clutch and opened it, removing her phone. “Step one, no texting. No phone calls. You are not a business woman today. You’re simply a gorgeous woman in a beautiful dress.”
Amazingly enough, Zhang didn’t protest–reaffirming Lil’s belief that this was something her friend yearned to do.
“Step two,” Lil continued, “you pinkie swear to me that you will kiss that Sheikh before midnight tonight.”
“Pinkie swear?”
Lil curled her pinkie finger around Zhang’s. “It’s the most solemn vow.”
Zhang smiled. “Americans are so strange.”
“Don’t try to get off the hook. Swear it. I dare you to.”
Zhang’s smile widened. “I’m not afraid of your little game.”
“Really? Prove it.”
Zhang curled her pinkie around Lil’s. “I pinkie swear it.”
Lil laughed and released her.
Zhang shook her head, but laughed with her. “You are trouble, Lil Dartley.”
Shamelessly, Lil shrugged. “It’s who I am.”
“And the world is better for it, my friend.”
The roving wedding planner intruded into their conversation. “Are we ready to line up?”
The two women nodded and moved into their places behind Abby.
The music started and Abby turned around before starting her walk. “I’m so glad you’re here, Lil.”
Holding her bouquet in one hand, Lil gave her sister a little nudge with her other and said, “Get going unless you want me to make you cry again.”
Abby gave her a teary smile.
Too late.
Dominic stood tall and proud at his spot before the altar, waiting for his soon-to-be-bride to join him. The four men who flanked one side of him were an equally impressive sight and one that not many women in the audience, married or not, would soon forget. The female minister they had chosen as their officiant looked on with quiet grace.
When Abby reached Dominic, he took both of her hands in his and they turned to face each other in front of the altar. Lil and the bridesmaids took their places on the bride’s side of the altar and the minister began to speak. As Lil listened to the officiant, she couldn’t help but look across at Jake and think that they would be making vows to each other one day soon. He winked at her as if he had heard her thoughts and had been thinking something quite similar.
“Dearest friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Dominic Corisi and Abigail Dartley in marriage. When they approached me about performing their ceremony, I wasn’t sure if I was qualified since my experience has been limited to small weddings in my local chapel. However, after two minutes with them, I saw that they were no different than any other couple I have married. They are deeply devoted to each other, passi
onately in love, and committed to making the world a better place through the strength of their love. They have written their own vows for today. Do you have the rings?”
Jake handed the rings to Dominic and said something that made the couple smile.
Dominic cleared his throat and said, “Abigail Dartley, today I take you as my wife. From this day on, I promise to be faithful and honest, loving and supportive. I promise to listen to your wise counsel and confess when I decide to disregard it.”
Lil bit her lip to stop the laugh that his comment inspired. Her family was never going to be the same. Yes, it was going to be much, much better.
Dominic continued, “I promise to forgive more, destroy less, and to savor every day with you. I give you this ring as a symbol that everything I am and everything I have will be yours now and forever.” He placed a wedding band on Abby’s finger.
Abby held out his wedding band, took his hand in hers and said, “Dominic Corisi, today I take you as my husband. I promise to be faithful and honest, loving and supportive. I promise to adore you as you are and gracefully accept your apologies each time you discover that I was right. I promise to risk more, judge less and to savor every day with you. I give you this ring as a symbol that everything I am and everything I have will be yours now and forever.” She placed the gold band on Dominic’s finger.
The officiant said, “By exchanging rings and vows today, Dominic and Abby you have sworn your life and your allegiance to each other. Time and tragedy will test this bond. When it does, remember the love you felt this day and stay true to your commitment. Dominic and Abigail, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may the kiss the bride.”
The crowd held their breath as a man who had once been known only for what he had accumulated and threatened gently kissed the lips of his new wife and hugged her to him with such love that it was impossible to look away.
Everyone stood and the officiant said, “It is a great honor for me to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Corisi.”
Lil looked across to Jake and knew that, like her, had had been imagining their wedding, their vows…their first kiss as a married couple. To music and applause, Lil linked arms with Jake and followed Dominic and Abby down the aisle and out of the tent to meet the photographer. They would have their day, but the next hour or so was all about filling Dominic and Abby’s wedding album.
After entering the reception with Jake and the rest of the bridal party, Lil turned to him and said “I want to run in and check on Colby really quickly before everything gets started. I love the nanny we chose, but I–”
Jake pulled her against him and whispered into her ear, “I’ll go with you.”
Lil laughed and pulled out of his grasp, “No way. I’m not missing the toast because we get distracted out there.”
“I love the way you distract me,” he growled and reached for her again.
She edged away, “That’s the problem. I am not going to mess this up. If you don’t come with me I can be back here in ten minutes.”
“I could control myself,” he claimed.
She leaned in and snuck a quick kiss while he was defending his honor then slid back out of his reach. “But could I?” she teased softly.
His face flushed slightly with excitement. “I think I could make ten minutes work.”
“That’s nothing to brag about,” Lil joked and loved how he opened his mouth, but didn’t have a witty comeback. It meant that she had indeed succeeded in shaking him up. She snuck in for one more quick kiss and said, “I’ll be right back.”
His mouth curled in amusement. “I’ll be here, plotting my revenge.”
She knew it was the kind of payback she would likely enjoy, so she felt safe enough to tease him more. “If you’re that sensitive, you’ve picked the wrong woman.”
This time he did grab her and hold her against his growing excitement. “I wouldn’t change a thing about you, Lil, but that doesn’t mean I won’t prove to you later exactly how much I can accomplish in ten minutes.”
He leaned down to kiss her and she couldn’t think of a single witty response. He kissed her until she forgot what had been so funny and desperately wanted to beg him to leave with her.
When he raised his head she touched a trembling hand to his lips and stared at the elegant, emerald cut diamond on her left hand. Was this really her life? Could something this wonderful really happen to her?
He sensed her change of mood and tried to lighten it by saying, “Would it help if I promised at least twenty minutes?”
She smacked his chest lightly. In the safety of his arms, she admitted her fear. “Sometimes I still don’t believe this is real. I mean, Abby deserves a happy ending, but I’ve done everything wrong. I shouldn’t be this happy.”
Jake pulled her closer and kissed her on the forehead. Then he bent and let his words tickle her left ear. “If love was only for the perfect, what a sad and lonely world it would it be. We are the culmination of every good and bad choice we’ve ever made. Your mistakes have made you into an incredibly fierce and loving woman; one I am head over heels in love with. They have filled your life with friends who are willing to risk jail for you. They brought Colby into the world. One of your mistakes even saved our company. So, don’t change, Lil. You keep making those mistakes and you just might save us all.”
The next kiss they shared had less to do with raw passion and more to do with two hearts reaching out to each other and promising each other forever.
The wedding planner broke into their intimate moment and said, “Are you both ready to say your toasts?”
Lil smiled at Jake and nodded. “I guess I’ll check Colby after we do that.” She winked at her man. “We’ll go together.”
He groaned, “Are you trying to make me forget my speech?”
She laughed wickedly and whispered a hot suggestion into his ear.
Game on.
From a large stone patio, tucked beneath one of Jake’s arms, Lil waved again at the private jet that was now only lights disappearing into the night sky. “She’s going to love Spain.”
Jake said, “Even more than you know.”
Lil looked up at him suspiciously, “What does that mean?”
He smiled. “I’ll let her tell you.”
“Oh, no, we don’t do any more secrets.”
His smile turned wicked. “You might be able to persuade me to tell you.”
“You are insatiable, do you know that?”
He looked rather proud of himself. “Is that a complaint?”
Lil thought about how much she’d enjoyed the reason they had missed the dinner portion of the wedding and reluctantly returned just in time to see the cutting of the cake. “No, but now I won’t be able to use that elevator without blushing.”
“Especially if the security system has a camera in there.”
“Oh, my God! I’m never going to be able to look the security people in the eye again.”
Jake laughed. “I’ll talk to them and if there is a camera I’ll have the video erased. Well, maybe copied and then erased.”
“Just erased!” Lil elbowed him lightly.
Jake merely smiled.
Security cameras. She should have thought about that when she told Zhang to wander on the wild side.
Stretching his neck a bit to see more of the runway, Jake said, “I don’t see Rachid’s plane anymore. It’s not like him to leave without saying goodbye. When I talked to him earlier he said he had something he wanted to ask me. That’s interesting.”
Lil shrugged. “The last time I saw him he was dancing, if you could call that dancing, with Zhang. They looked like they were really hitting it off.”
Jake scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “Have you seen Zhang since then?”
Lil checked the contents of the clutch she’d carried with her through the entire evening. “No, but I still have her phone. You don’t think…”
Jack cocked his head to the side as if considering the idea,
then shook his head. “No, that’s not Zhang. If her phone and her plane are here, she’s here somewhere. She’d never leave without them.” He shook his head again. “No. Not Zhang.”
Lil turned Zhang’s phone in her hand and considered the possibilities. With a grin, she turned it off and placed it back within her purse. Good for you, Zhang. I did pick the right dress.
Jake returned his attention to a much more intimate topic. He wiggled his eyebrows, likely remembering her earlier promise of how they would end their evening as he asked, “Ready?”
His sexy question implied tonight, but she pondered past that.
Am I ready for all of this? This man? This life change? Everything this means for me and for my child?
Jake entwined his fingers with hers and the answer came to her–strong and absolute.
I am.
I’m finally ready.
“Yes,” she said and meant it with every fiber of her being.
Hand in hand, they walked into the rest of their lives together.
The End
Table of Contents
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire (Legacy Collection)
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Ruth Cardello, Bedding the Billionaire (Book 3) (Legacy Collection)
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